Day 16

Vanora took a list of names out of one of the drawers of her dresser, and sighed upon seeing that all but one name had been crossed off. She had gotten Christmas gifts for Moffitt and for Jules, but that left Anah. She liked Anah, but it was quite difficult to shop for Anah, for many reasons. Surprisingly, it wasn't just because Anah was a snake.

Over the years, Anah expressed excitement at receiving replacements for kitchen tools that were wearing out, but Vanora sought to do something different. Something special. She just couldn't figure out what. It bothered her year after year, and always wound up getting something else at the last minute. Vanora stared at the list, and vowed she was going to change that year. No more pans or spatulas or boxes of pasta—no matter how happy those made Anah. Anah was deserving of something special.

The question was what.

Vanora put the list back and went out to the parlor, where her husband was working over his typewriter. "Jack? Is Anah with you?"

"No. I think she's out with Jules," Moffitt replied. "Why?"

"I need some help."

"Oh?"

"I have gifts for everyone but Anah. I'm not sure what to do."

"She's difficult to find things for, isn't she?"

"Yes. I always feel bad that I'm not truly thinking when I get her gift."

"She's always happy with what you get. I don't think I've met anyone who gets that happy over a box of spaghetti."

"I feel like I should be doing more, though. You know Anah best."

Moffitt slowly swiveled back and forth in his chair, his fingertips pressed together as he thought. "Are you thinking about surprising her?"

"Yes. She really does deserve something special, Jack. She does so much and asks for so little in return."

"Correction—she asks for nothing in return." Moffitt sighed. "I keep telling her to take care of herself and that it's perfectly alright for her to ask for things." He shrugged. "It hasn't quite sunk in yet."

"Poor thing." Vanora sank down to the couch. "There must be something we can do for her. Even something small."

Moffitt was quiet as he thought, continuing to swivel in his chair. He then snapped his fingers. "I think I've got something." He stood. "I just have to see if I still have them. I should."

"What are you talking about?" Vanora asked.

"A pair of socks."

She gave him a confused look. "A pair of socks?"

"Yes, darling."

Vanora followed Moffitt into their bedroom, where Moffitt opened one of his dresser drawers. A big smile crossed his face, as he pulled out what he was looking for. "I do still have them." Moffitt unfolded a pair of what Vanora thought were the longest socks she had ever seen. "I was issued these during the war. Troy and Hitch did make some teasing remarks about them, all harmless. Anah thought they were adorable. What if we turn them into a sweater for her?"

"Are you sure?" Vanora asked.

"Yes. They're clean. I haven't worn them in over twenty years. Maybe give them one last wash so they're fresh."

"If you haven't worn them in so long, Anah might suspect something if she sees them in the wash."

"Good point." Moffitt rubbed his chin as he thought. "I propose we send her on an errand run tomorrow. Keep her away long enough to run a load of laundry."

"That'll also give me time to figure out how I'm going to turn a pair of socks into a sweater."

"I believe you can do it." Moffitt gave his wife a hug, and kissed her forehead. "You're very handy with a needle and thread, darling."

"I appreciate the confidence, love."

Fortunately for Moffitt and Vanora, Anah didn't question the list of errands they wanted her to run the following day. They were at least partly honest in saying they were working on surprises for Christmas and didn't want to ruin said surprises. Once Anah left, accompanied by Jules, Vanora put a load of laundry in the washing machine, making sure that the long socks were in there. As the washer was running, she sat down at the kitchen table to draw out plans for turning the socks into a sweater.

"How's it going, darling?" Moffitt asked, leaning over to nuzzle Vanora and kiss her cheek.

"Well, I think I have something," Vanora replied, showing him the plans. "I already know I have plenty of the right colored thread, so now it's just a matter of waiting for the socks to be done."

"Splendid." Moffitt kissed Vanora's cheek again. "I'll take care of sorting the laundry so you can get started."

"Thanks, Jack. Now—" Vanora turned to face him. "What should we do while we wait?"

"Well, we do have everything all in a row. I was going to suggest a cup of tea."

Vanora smirked. "There will be plenty of time for tea. I was thinking of something else."

A wide grin spread over Moffitt's face. "Ah, take advantage of having the house all to ourselves?"

"Precisely."

"Of course, darling. You lead the way."

After a moment of romance for the couple, the laundry had to be moved from the washer to the dryer. The two cuddled on the couch in the parlor while waiting for the dryer to finish. Moffitt and Vanora got to work getting the laundry out and rifling through it to find the long socks.

"At least they won't be difficult to find," Moffitt said.

"No—here's one." Vanora held up a sock.

Moffitt pulled aside a few of his and Jules's sweaters before finding the other. "Alright. I'll get all this folded."

"Thank you, love. Could you let me know when Jules and Anah come home?"

"I will. Have fun." Moffitt kissed Vanora's forehead, and picked up the basket to bring it into the bedroom.

Vanora went into the parlor to begin turning that pair of socks into a sweater. She was careful to make sure no strands or threads fell where she couldn't see them. About halfway through the socks' transformation, Vanora started wondering if this was a little silly. It looked ridiculous, and she couldn't tell if she had done something wrong, or if it was just the fact that she was turning socks into a sweater. She turned toward the doorway and called, "Jack? Jack!"

"Yes, darling?" Moffitt's head appeared in the doorway.

"Do you think this looks silly?" Vanora held up the sock-sweater.

"No. Why?"

"I feel like it looks silly."

Moffitt shook his head. "No. I think it looks quite adorable, actually. Anah will love it."

"Alright. If you say so."

"I say so." Moffitt looked out the window facing the driveway. "I see Jules and Anah. How close are you to done?"

"Quite close. I can finish later tonight, after everyone's gone to bed."

A light snowfall had begun that evening. After getting her shower and making a cup of cocoa, Vanora went back into the parlor to finish sewing together the sock-sweater. Jules peered into the room not too long after. "Hey, Mum," he said.

"Jules," Vanora replied. "Where's your father?"

"In your room with Anah."

"Good. He can keep her occupied."

Jules gestured to the sock-sweater. "I'm guessing that's a gift for her?"

"It is."

Jules stepped down into the parlor. "I've been having a hard time finding a gift for Anah."

"She can be difficult. It took a bit for your father and I to come up with this."

"Anah doesn't really talk about what she wants."

Vanora shook her head. "I suppose this can be a gift from all three of us."

"I don't think that's fair, Mum. I didn't have anything to do with this."

"Something to keep in mind is that while things like this are nice, Anah is most happy with having all of us around."

"You're right. She lights up around Christmastime." Jules watched his mother for a moment. "What even is that?"

"It's a sweater, made from socks that your father was issued during the war."

Jules made a face.

"They're clean, fortunately."

"Oh, good." Jules went quiet again. "Should we spray them with one of Dad's colognes when they're done? Anah would enjoy that."

"That's a good idea. Thank you, Jules."

"No problem, Mum."

Vanora went to bed once the sock-sweater was finished, hiding it with the rest of her sewing supplies. She entered the bedroom to find Moffitt was already asleep—or so she thought. As soon as she lay down and turned her lamp off, he rolled over to hug her. "Hello, Jack," Vanora whispered.

"Hello, darling." Moffitt kissed her.

Vanora turned to face him, and pressed close to whisper directly in his ear, "The present is done, but I need something from you."

"Oh?"

"We'll talk tomorrow."

"Okay."

The next morning, Vanora showed Moffitt the sock-sweater, and told him about Jules's suggestion to spray it with his cologne. Moffitt agreed, and sprayed the sock-sweater before Vanora wrapped it and placed it under the tree.

On Christmas morning, Anah was given the soft little present before anyone else could touch their gifts. She gave Vanora a confused look, then pulled apart the wrapping paper with her tail. "What could this be? It smells good." Anah took out the sock-sweater, and looked at Moffitt. "Oh… is this one of your socks, dear?"

"It's a whole pair," Moffitt said.

Anah took the entire sweater out. "It is your knee-high socks that you had in North Africa. I had nearly forgotten about them."

"I turned them into a sweater for you," Vanora said.

"You did? Oh, it is adorable! I am going to try it on." Anah crawled into the sock-sweater, her head soon poking out of the top. "It is so comfy! And it smells like Moffitt! Thank you, Vanora! I love it!"

Vanora put her arms around Moffitt and Jules's shoulders. "It's good to see her so happy."

"It is," Moffitt replied, taking a sip of his tea. "At least no one can make fun of those socks anymore."